GSM

Architecture
RAJESH KUMAR
GARG
SDE

Network Structure
Cell

A cell is the basic unit of a

cellular system and is defined
as the radio coverage given by
one BTS.

Network Structure
LOCATION AREA
A LA is defined as a group of cells.Within the
network, a subsribers location is known by the LA
which they are in.
The identity of the LA in which an MS is currently
located is stored in the VLR. (LAI)
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Network Structure
MSC Service Area

An MSC Service Area is made

up of LAs and represents the
geographical part of the
network controlled by one
MSC.
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Network Structure
PLMN SERVICE AREA
A PLMN service area is the entire
set of cells served by one network
operator
and is defined as the area in which
an operator offers radio coverage
and access to its network.
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Network Structure
GSM SERVICE AREA
The GSM service area is the entire
geographical area in which a
subscriber can gain access to a
GSM network.

Relation between areas in

GSM

Location
CellArea
Location Area
MSC Service Area
PLMN Service Area
GSM Service Area
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Mobile Station
GSM MSs consist of:
Mobile Equipment
Subscriber Identity Module

Functions of Mobile
Voice and data transmission &
Station
receipt
Frequency and time

synchronization
Monitoring of power and signal
quality of the surrounding cells
Provision of location updates even
during inactive state
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Mobile Station
Can receive, store, send SMS up to

160 characters.
MS identified by unique IMEI
shown on pressing *#06#.
Power levels of 20W, 8W, 5W, 2W
and .8W
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SIM
SIM has microprocessor and memory.
Fixed data stored for the
subscription:
IMSI,
Authentication Key, Ki
Security Algorithms:kc,A3,A8
PIN & PUK
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Network Identities
IMEI

MSISDN
IMSI
TMSI
MSRN

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IMEI

International Mobile Equipment

Identity
The IMEI is an unique code allocated to each

mobile equipment. It is checked in the EIR.

IMEI check List
White List
Grey List
Black List

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MSISDN

Mobile Station ISDN Number

The MSISDN is registered in the telephone directory and

used by the calling party for dialing.
MSISDN shall not exceed 15 digits.
NDC--National Destination Code
SN--Subscriber Number

1 to 3 digits
CC

Variable
NDC

Variable
SN

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IMSI

International mobile subscriber

Identity
The IMSI is an unique identity which is

used internationally and used within the

network to identify the mobile
subscribers.
The IMSI is stored in the subscriber
identity module (SIM), the HLR, VLR
database.
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Temporary Mobile subscriber Identity

TMSI is a temporary IMSI no. made

known to an MS at registration.
The VLR assigns a TMSI to each mobile
subscribers entering the VLR area.
Assigned only after successful
authentication.

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MSRN
Mobile Station Roaming Number
The MSRN is used in the GMSC to set up a

connection to the visited MSC/VLR.

MSRN--is a temporary identity which is
assigned during the establishment of a
call to a roaming subs.

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BASE STATION SYSTEM (BSS)

MSC/VLR

BSC

BSC
BSC

BSS
BSS
n BTS

n BTS
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FUNCTIONS OF BTS (
Base Transceiver Station)
Radio resources
Signal Processing
Signaling link management
Synchronization
Local maintenance handling
Functional supervision and Testing
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FUNCTIONS OF BSC
Radio Resource management
Internal BSC O&M
Handling of MS connections

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MSC-BSS Configurations
MSC

BSS

A-bis
BSC

BTS
BTS BTS
BTS

BTS

A-bis
BTS

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Switching System (SS)

SS7 Signalling
Traffic Path

VLR

D
C

HLR

AUC
E

EIR

Other
MSC

MSC

(PSTN)
(BSS)

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MSC Functions

Switcing and call routing

Charging
Service provisioning
Communication with HLR
Communication with VLR
Communication with other MSCs
Control of connected BSCs
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MSC
Functions

Echo canceller operation control

Signaling interface to databases like HLR,

VLR.
Gateway to SMS between SMS centers and

subscribers
Handle interworking function while

working as GMSC
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VISITOR
REGISTER
It containsLOCATION
data of all mobiles
roaming in
its area.
(VLR)
One VLR may be incharge of one or more

LA.

VLR is updated by HLR on entry of MS its

area.

VLR assigns TMSI which keeps on

changing.

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Data in VLR
IMSI & TMSI
MSISDN
MSRN.
Location Area
Supplementary service parameters
MS category
Authentication Key

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Home Location Register(HLR)

Reference store for subscribers parameters,

numbers, authentication & Encryption values.

Current subscriber status and associated VLR.

Both VLR and HLR can be implemented in the

same equipment in an MSC.

one PLMN may contain one or several HLR.

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Home Location
Register(HLR)
Permanent data in HLR
Data stored is changed only by commands.
IMSI, MS-ISDN number.
Category of MS ( whether pay phone or not )
Roaming restriction ( allowed or not ).
Supplementary services like call forwarding

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Home Location
Register(HLR)
Temporary data in HLR
The data changes from call to call & is

dynamic

MSRN
RAND /SRES and Kc
VLR address , MSC address.
Messages waiting data used for SMS
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EQUIPMENT IDENTITY REGISTER

( EIR
This )data base stores IMEI for all
registered mobile equipments and is
unique to every ME.
Only one EIR per PLMN.
White list : IMEI, assigned to valid ME.
Black list : IMEI reported stolen
Gray list : IMEI having problems like faulty

software, wrong make of equipment etc.

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AUthentication Center (AUC)

To authenticate the subs. attempting to use a
network.
AUC is connected to HLR which provides it
with authentication parameters and ciphering
keys used to ensure network security.

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AUC Functions
To perform subscriber
authentication and to establish
ciphering procedures on the radio
link between the network and MS.

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AUC Functions
Information provided is called a
TRIPLET consists of:
1. RAND(non predictable random number)
2. SRES(Signed response)
3. Kc(ciphering key)
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Operations and Maintenance Centre

OMC
The centralized operation of the various units in
the system and functions needed to maintain the
subsystems.
Dynamic monitoring and controlling of the
network

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Functions Of OMC
-O&M data function

-Configuration management
--Fault report and alarm handling
-Performance supervision/management
-Storage of system software and data
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THANKS
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